THOUSAND OAKS – Tiger Woods didn’t attend his Chevron World Challenge, but many of his fans did.

Even those who expressed disappointment in the wake of Woods’ scandal still bought tickets and watched the first round Thursday at Sherwood Country Club.

Woods apologized for “transgressions” on his Web site a day earlier in the wake of reports that he’s had affairs with at least three women.

And while the world’s top-ranked player didn’t attend his own tournament because of injuries he cited in that famous single-car accident, the golf began with little fanfare and no shocking new Woods news for the first day in a week.

Priscilla Shively, 61, traveled here from Arcadia and has gone to the tournament the past few years. She’s not happy with Woods, but that didn’t stop her.

“It’s a big disappointment, big-time,” Shively said. “I held him in such high regard. I felt he was the best role model for our youth. I felt like I was his mother. People aren’t going to remember Tiger for being a great golfer. They’ll remember him for screwing up.

“Every time I see Kobe I think of his scandal.”

There were 6,893 fans at Sherwood – or just 81 fewer than last year.

It’s difficult to gauge attendance figures the past two years, however, since Woods didn’t play in 2008, either. Last year, he was recovering from knee surgery and couldn’t play, but he was around all week, attended foundation events and rubbed elbows with corporate sponsors and players.

What a difference a year makes.

He’s holed up in his Isleworth home in Florida, reportedly with facial lacerations.

Thursday was just one day. It’s unclear how Woods’ absence will affect weekend attendance – 26,601 fans were on hand over the weekend last year – or future tournaments.

“They’re out here to watch golf,” said Zach Johnson, who’s tied for the lead with a 4-under 68. “They’re not out here to see what’s going on. They’re out here for the right reasons. I mean, (Hole No.) 16 on the par-5, that grandstand was packed.”

Johnson said that spoke volumes to the quality of the field, with all 18 players are ranked in the top 55 in the world. This is the first year the tournament has world golf ranking points.

Woods didn’t lose any points in 26-year-old Anthony Price’s mind.

“I’m still a fan,” said Price, who lives in Glendora. “It’s more of his personal life, and he has to deal with that instead of hiding it. He can clear all the stories up, but it’s his personal life so he doesn’t have to. He’s been a golfer for 13 years, and he’s never had any negative stories. I’m still a Tiger Woods fan.”

So are Gerald Chatman and his brother, Victor.

“There’s no real excitement with it,” Gerald Chatman said. “I’m not surprised. When you’re young, you’re learning life’s lessons and there’s always going to be issues. You can learn early in life or late in life.”

Said Victor Chatman: “The media is so concerned that he apologize to us. He doesn’t need to give any explanation.”

Golfer Anthony Kim is so grateful for what Woods has done for the PGA Tour he had no problem hustling his way to a Tiger Woods Foundation event after his round Thursday. He’s been known as “Little Tiger” and had a good group of fans following him and Y.E. Yang.

Donna Potts, 66, drove from South Pasadena to Sherwood and sat at the 18th hole. Her husband bought a hat in the pro shop, and he told a salesperson he didn’t want a hat that said Tiger Woods on it.

“It’s not just his family that Tiger has disappointed,” Potts said. “It’s all the rest of us, too. Maybe he can represent redemption.”

Those who have a real problem with Woods probably didn’t attend the event.

Sanjay Bhakta of Cypress brought his 11-year-old son and two nephews to the tournament.

“It’s disappointing, but he’s human,” Bhakta said of Woods.

He said he hadn’t yet had a conversation with his son about Woods’ situation because it’s difficult. He said his son has watched the news, however.